House Bill 202 amends Tennessee election laws to require proof of U.S. citizenship for individuals registering to vote, effective July 1, 2025. The bill mandates that applicants submit original or true copies of specific documents to verify their citizenship. Additionally, the coordinator of elections is tasked with monthly comparisons of the statewide voter registration database with the Department of Safety database and other relevant federal and state agency databases to identify non-citizen voters. If a registered voter's citizenship cannot be verified before early voting, they will only be allowed to vote using a provisional ballot, which will not be counted until their citizenship is confirmed.

The bill also outlines procedures for addressing cases where there is evidence that a registered voter may not be a U.S. citizen. County election commissions must notify these voters and request proof of citizenship within a specified timeframe. If the voter fails to provide the necessary documentation, they may be purged from the voter registration database, although their voting history will be maintained. The bill establishes an appeals process through the state election commission for voters who contest their citizenship status, ensuring that all proceedings are conducted in accordance with the Tennessee Uniform Administrative Procedures Act. Furthermore, the bill includes provisions for confidentiality regarding documentation related to citizenship verification, with the exception of cases where a voter is determined not to be a U.S. citizen, which will be made public.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 2-2-141